Communal clash in Rajouri brought under control

Jammu, Aug 2 (IANS) Amid tension over the Amarnath land row, groups from two communities clashed in the border town of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir late Saturday evening but police soon intervened and brought the situation under control. Hindus and Muslims took out processions for and against restoring land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and when the two groups reached the bus stand in the heart of the town, 160 km north of here, they started throwing stones at each other and damaged vehicles.

“This caused tension in the town,” said an official here.

“The situation has been brought under control,” the official said. “At the moment, we are watching the situation. There is no plan of imposing curfew.”

Meanwhile, the army staged frequent flag marches in Jammu city, Samba, Kathua and along the Jammu-Pathankote highway. But protesters seeking restoration of a piece of 40 hectares of land to the shrine board defied curfew and joined the street demonstrations in large numbers.

There were reports of clashes at many a places in which about 50 people, including policemen, were injured.

Inspector General of Police (Jammu Zone) K. Rajendra admitted Saturday that there was a possibility of the situation turning communal as some miscreants had torched few “huts” of Gujjars.

Meanwhile, more than 250 trucks carrying essential supplies and other material were on their way to the Kashmir Valley.

While the trucks were stuck at certain points on the Jammu-Pathankote and Jammu-Srinagar highways because of protests, officials said there was no blockade.

“There was no economic blockade,” a senior police official said. “The trucks get stuck up for several days together when landslides block the highway. This time, the supplies did not stop even for more than two days.”